New York Mets score three runs in ninth inning to beat San Francisco Giants 7-4

Cary Edmondson/US PresswireMets center fielder Carlos Beltran is congratulated by teammates after scoring the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on Thursday.

Updated, 2:25 a.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Never mind what happened last year or even last month. These days, the late innings belong to the Mets.

After Bobby Parnell blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning, the Mets responded by driving in three in the ninth to secure a 7-4 win over the Giants on Thursday night at AT&T Park.

It was the second time in three games the Mets tied the game or took the lead in the ninth inning.

"It's kind of nice to see that type of fight from our guys late," manager Jerry Manuel said. "I think once you do it, you have the confidence that the game is not over. And that was the phase we needed to go through."

Just as he did in the Mets' comeback victory against the Braves on Tuesday, Carlos Beltran doubled and then stole third in the ninth. David Wright drove in Beltran with a single to shallow right field, and Ramon Castro drove in Wright and Gary Sheffield to add to the lead.

The Mets finished with a franchise-record seven stolen bases. Wright had four, which set a career high and tied a team record. Even Sheffield showed a little speed, tumbling into third base for a steal in the ninth inning.

"Jerry has preached aggressiveness on the base paths all year," Wright said. "I like putting pressure on the defense. I like keeping the pitcher on his toes and making him focus on the base runner."

Carlos Beltran talks about being aggressive on the field

John Maine gave up just two runs in 6 2/3 innings, his fourth consecutive quality start. But he was denied his fourth victory of the season when Bobby Parnell gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, squandering what was a 4-2 Mets lead. Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria both hit RBI singles off Parnell to tie the game at 4.

Before Thursday, Parnell had allowed only two earned runs in 15 1/3 innings this season. Still, he ended up being credited with the win.

"I don't want to take the win the way I got it," Parnell said. "Mainer deserved the win and deserved the game. I'm not satisfied with the way I pitched."

The Mets had a 1-0 lead before Maine even stepped on the mound, thanks to Gary Sheffield's RBI single in the top of the first inning. But Maine couldn't hold it.

In the bottom of the first, he gave up two runs on three hits, two walks and two wild pitches.

"It always seems to be one inning that does me in with a lack of focus," Maine said. "The only thing I can do is go out and try to correct it."

And that's what he did. Maine settled down quickly, and didn't give up another hit until the fourth inning. By then, the Mets had retaken the lead.

In the third, David Wright drove in a run with an infield single and Sheffield scored on a wild pitch. And another run scored in the fourth when Luis Castillo grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs, putting the Mets up 4-2.

Random fact No. 1: The previous 10 times the Mets began a road trip in San Francisco, they lost. Their last win to start a road trip here came on Aug. 16, 1988.

Random fact No. 2: Maine set a career high with two hits. Afterward, he told writers, "Can you guys put in there that I'm a better hitter than Mike Pelfrey? Please?"